New Applications of Solid Silica Chloride (SiO 2 -Cl) in Organic Synthesis. Efficient Preparation of Diacetals of 2,2-Bis(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol from Different Substrates and Their Transthioacetalization Reactions. Efficient Regeneration of Carbonyl Compounds from Acetals and Acylals

A new application of solid silica chloride, an easily available and efficient catalyst for the preparation of diacetal of 2,2-bis-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol from aldehydes, acetals, acylals, and oximes, is described. Transthioacetalization of diacetals of 2,2-bis-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol into their corresponding 1,3-dithianes and 1,3-dithiolanes in the presence of silica chloride is presented. Efficient regeneration of carbonyl compounds from their corresponding acetals, ketals, diacetals, and acylals in the presence of this catalyst also is described.